Getting your property ready after a tenant moves out can be a real chore, especially cleaning the kitchen can be a nightmare. Here are a few guidelines to clean the kitchen from top to bottom.

General kitchen cleaning tips:

• Make sure you wear protective clothing like an apron, gloves and a hair mask especially when you are using chemical products.
• Always read the instructions before you use any chemical product.
• Keep the cleaning area open and allow some ventilation by opening the windows or switching the extractor fan on.
• If you are using a new product for the first time, make sure you test it on an unnoticeable area so that you would know if it can cause any discoloration or damage.

How to clean a kitchen sink

Cleaning the sink depends on the type of sink you have. Below are the instructions:

Stainless steel sink:

• Moisten the sink before you start
• Coat evenly with bicarbonate of soda
• Scrub it gently with a toothbrush to avoid scratches and then rinse it

Ceramic sink:

• Prepare the sink by washing it with warm water and washing liquid
• Take a cloth and clean the sink firmly and then rinse it
• Spray the sink with a bleach-based cleaner and leave it to sit for few minutes and rinse it
• Apply barkeeper friend or similar acidic cleaner products on any stains and scratches
• Scrub gently with a kitchen scrubber in circular motions and rinse it

Cleaning different types of stoves

Glass-top stove:

• Fist of all remove all the loose dirt that may have been left
• Coat with a non-abrasive, cream cleaner and leave it for few minutes
• Scrub the hob with a microfibre cloth. If there are any tough areas, try a textured sponge but don’t use anything abrasive
• Rinse it

Gas stove:

• Remove the gas rings and place them in a mixture of detergent and warm water
• Rub with a clean cloth or a toothbrush for tougher areas to remove the dirt
• Remove the burners and clean them using a scrubbing brush and hob spray. Avoid using water as this can saturate them and prevent them from working
• Wipe the burner with a damp cloth to remove any spray chemical leftover
• Coat the hob with a cream cleaner and leave it for ten minutes and then scrub it with a sponge

Cleaning an extractor fan:

• Replace any carbon or paper filters of the extractor fan
• If you have any metal mesh filter, remove this from the hood and soak it in hot, soapy water with a mugful of vinegar and leave it overnight
• Wipe the filter with a cloth to remove any grease,
• For stainless steel around the filter make a paste using bicarbonate soda and water
• Apply this to the hood and scrub with a toothbrush
• Wipe down the hood with a damp cloth and replace the filter

Cleaning kitchen cabinets:

• Empty the cabinets and hoover inside with a vacuum cleaner or dust it
• Mix washing liquid and warm water, use this solution to clean the cabinets inside and outside using a soft and clean cloth
• Wipe down with a damp, clean cloth and the leave the doors open to dry and ventilate

Cleaning the tiles in the kitchen:

• Hoover the floor to remove any debris, spray white vinegar all over
• Clean the tiles with a damp cloth and damp mop for the floor
• If there are any tough stains then use a steam cleaner